Relative powers of the HOC and HOL

Question 1

How did the Parliament Act 1911 come about?

Answer 1

resulted from the Lords’ attempt to block the governments budget in 1909

Question 2

What power of the HOL’s did the Parliament Act 1911 replace?

Answer 2

The HOL’s right to veto legislation and delay bills for 2 years

Question 3

Before the Parliament Act 1911 what powers did the HOL have?

Answer 3

• could veto legislation

- could delay bills for up to 2 years

Question 4

What did the Parliament Act 1949 do?

Answer 4

This reduced the power of delay to one parliamentary session so that bills could try again in the next election

Question 5

Though the Parliament Acts give the Commons ultimate power over the Lords, how many time has this power been used ?

Answer 5

on 4 occasions

Question 6

What 4 occasions did the Commons use the Parliament Acts?

Answer 6

• War Crimes Act 1991
• European Parliamentary Elections Act 1999
• Sexual Offences Act 2000
• Hunting Act 2004

Question 7

When was the Salisbury Doctrine established?

Answer 7

1945

Question 8

What did the Salisbury Doctrine/ Convention establish?

Answer 8

it means that the Lords do not vote down a Government Bill mentioned in an election manifesto

Question 9

What 2 things make the HOL an obstacle to the government

Answer 9

• security of tenure

- weak party ties

Question 10

Who do many regard as the real opposition to government while in the era of a large Commons majority?

Answer 10

the HOL